Flood risk open house Feb. 5

The public is invited to review the preliminary floodplain map and learn about risk in their community. Those interested may drop-in at any time during the event to talk one-on-one with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Michigan Department of Natural Resources representatives.

Representatives from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, will host a Flood Risk Information Open House on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Mason County Airport Conference Room, 5300 West U.S. 10, Ludington. The open house will provide Mason County residents with an opportunity to review a recently completed preliminary Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and its accompanying preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMSs).

The FIS and the FIRMs provide base flood information, delineate areas subject to significant flood hazards within the county, and offer information public officials may use when permitting development in the floodplain.

The open house will be staffed with representatives from various local, state and federal agencies who will provide the most current information about flood risk, flood insurance, floodplain development regulations, and the process for floodplain mapping within Mason County. The newly prepared preliminary floodplain maps will be on display. Once the maps become effective, these maps will be used by floodplain permit officials, builders and developers, lenders, realtors, insurance agents and the general public to determine flood risk, develop mitigation measures, and encourage wise and responsible risk management decision-making.

Property owners, realtors, lenders and insurance agents are urged to attend and take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about flood risk and hazard mitigation within their community. For more information, contact Catrina Covino, FEMA Region V Program Specialist, at (312) 408-5522 or Marge Dworak, FEMA Region V Outreach Specialist, at (312) 408-5527.

FEMA’s mission is to support out citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.